When Branch recounts arguing to the Appellate Court, he refers to "nine Gods in black robes." Appellate courts are five judge panels. It's the United States Supreme Court that has nine judges, which are known as Justices, the head of the court being known as the Chief Justice.
During the jury selection process McCoy informs the potential jurors that the defendant is on trial for first degree murder, which is a capital case, and that the possible sentences for it are either life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years or the death penalty. However McCoy failed to mention that life in prison without the possibility of parole is another possible sentence, in fact it is the most common sentence handed down for murder one.
The way it works in a murder one trial is if the defendant is found guilty the trial enters the sentencing phase. It is during this phase that the jury decides on what sentence is appropriate. After the prosecution and defense present their arguments and witnesses the jury first deliberates on the death penalty. In order for the defendant to be given the death penalty all 12 jurors must vote unanimously for the death penalty, if even one juror votes against the death penalty the sentencing phase moves onto the next sentencing option. The jury then deliberates on whether to sentence the defendant to life in prison without the possibility of parole, this vote must also be unanimous. If the jury fails to reach a unanimous vote on both the death penalty and life without parole the judge is then required to hand down a mandatory sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years.
The way it works in a murder one trial is if the defendant is found guilty the trial enters the sentencing phase. It is during this phase that the jury decides on what sentence is appropriate. After the prosecution and defense present their arguments and witnesses the jury first deliberates on the death penalty. In order for the defendant to be given the death penalty all 12 jurors must vote unanimously for the death penalty, if even one juror votes against the death penalty the sentencing phase moves onto the next sentencing option. The jury then deliberates on whether to sentence the defendant to life in prison without the possibility of parole, this vote must also be unanimous. If the jury fails to reach a unanimous vote on both the death penalty and life without parole the judge is then required to hand down a mandatory sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years.
While talking to Jack about the jury makeup, Serena mentions they should have chosen their witnesses more carefully. She should have said jurors, since a juror cannot be a witness.
Arthur Branch mispronounces voir dire as voir "dar".